Take-apart fish hook or lure support

ABSTRACT

A fish hook or lure support of &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;take-apart&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; construction is disclosed which is formed from a plurality of laterally directed wire arms each of which is provided with an integral loop from which hooks, filaments or lures may depend. The device assumes the shape of the so-called &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;umbrella&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; spreaders and includes in releasably connected to the laterally directed arms. Each of the laterally directed arms is embedded in a centrally located, slotted plug element preferably of metal. The vertical arm is embedded, at its uppermost end, in a plug element from which a vertical loop extension projects upwardly. The latter is fitted within the slots of the other plug elements to effect an assembled relationship of parts. The frictional contact of these parts assures the maintenance of the elements of the device in the aforesaid assembled relationship.

ilnited fitates Patent SUlPPURT [151 3,646,7dfi

Pond Mar. 7, 1972 [541 TAKE-APART FISH HOOK 0R LURE Primary Examiner-Melvin D. Rein Attorney-Salter & Michaelson [57] ABSTRACT A fish hook or lure support of take-apart" construction is disclosed which is formed from a plurality of laterally directed wire arms each of which is provided with an integral loop from which hooks, filaments or lures may depend. The device assumes the shape of the so-called umbrella" Spreaders and ineludes in releasably connected to the laterally directed arms. Each of the laterally directed arms is embedded in a centrally located, slotted plug element preferably of metal. The vertical arm is embedded, at its uppermost end, in a plug element from which a vertical loop extension projects upwardly. The latter is fitted within the slots of the other plug elements to effect an assembled relationship of parts. The frictional contact of these parts assures the maintenance of the elements of the device in the aforesaid assembled relationship. 4

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMAR 7 I972 3, 646, 700

INVENTOR F l 6 ROBERT B. POND EIIwmFM ATTORNEYS TAKE-APART FISH HOOK OR LURE SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A fish hook or lure support comprising a weighted body or plug portion having wire arms connected thereto and extending laterally therefrom in a plurality of directions and further having a vertically depending wire arm has proven to be extremely effective and popular in recent years. Supports of this type are sometimes referred to as umbrella spreaders or supports and the wire arms are provided with integral eyes for receiving fish hooks, attractors and the like.

The problem with this type of support is that to prevent inadvertent snagging of the lines, hooks, and attractors carried by the support, it is essential that the various wire arms, including the vertically depending arm, be of sufficient length. For example, suitable umbrella" spreaders or supports frequently comprise lateral arms having a length of approximately 8 inches measured from the central body and a depending vertical arm of substantially the same length. In view of the umbrellalike configuration of the support, packing the support for shipment and display has become a meaningful problem. Also, in view of the somewhat unwieldy configuration of these lures, storage is likewise a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has therefore been found desirable to provide a support of the general character described wherein the support is made of separate sections that may be easily assembled to form the composite support, but that may be packaged, stored, etc., in disassembled form. Since the individual parts that make up the support basically comprise straight lengths of wire, it will be obvious that packaging the individual parts, when in their disassembled state, is extremely simple and results in a package of minimum size. Since, however, assembly of the separate parts to form the completed support is an extremely simple procedure, a purchaser of the packaged disassembled parts may easily and quickly assemble same to form the complete support. By the same token, after the lure has been used, if it is desired to once again disassemble the support for convenience of storage, this also may be easily done.

Basically, my support comprises three parts, two of which comprise a central body or plug portion having an elongated wire embedded therein and extending laterally therefrom. The third part also comprises a central plug having a wire embedded therein, but in this part the wire extends downwardly, rather than laterally. Means are provided for releaseably assembling the three plug portions together thus resulting in a composite support having a central plug with wire arms extending laterally therefrom in a plurality of directions and further having a vertically depending arm extending therefrom. The wire arms are provided with integral eyes for receiving monofilament, hooks, attractors and the like.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fish hook or lure support constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view thereof, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the individual elements that form a part of my invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of another individual element that forms a part of my invention; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the three elements of my invention in disassembled relation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 6, it will be seen that a support 10 is provided comprising three separate elements or parts shown generally at 12, 14 and 16. The part 12 comprises a center body or plug portion 18 constructed of any weighted metal, such as lead or the like. As will be seen most clearly in FIG. 5, the plug 18 is provided with an elongated slot 20 which extends therethrough and has elongated wire arms 22 extending laterally therefrom. The wire arms 22 are preferably formed from an integral length of wire, the central portion of which is embedded in the plug 18 and is offset as at 24 so as to circumvent slot 20. It will be understood that the plug 18 may conveniently be poured lead that is cast around the wire 22 so as to embed the latter therein, as previously described. The wire arms 22 are provided with integrally formed eyes 26 that function to receive monofilament, hooks, attractors or the like.

Part 14 is quite similar to the above-described part 12, it being noted that a central body portion 28 is provided having an elongated slot 30 extending therethrough and having elongated wire arms 32 embedded therein and extending laterally therefrom. The wire arms 32 has an offset portion 34 that is embedded in body or plug 28 so as to circumvent slot 30. Integral eyes 36 similar to the aforesaid eyes 26 are provided in the wire arms 32. It is important to note that slot 30 extends in the same direction as the arms 32 whereas slot 20 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of arms 22.

Part 16 comprises a central plug 38 having an elongated wire 40 embedded therein and depending vertically therefrom. As will be seen most clearly in FIG. 3, the wire 40 is provided with a loop 42 at its upper extremity and the arm 40 is provided with integral eyes 44 that function in the same manner as the foredescribed eyes 26 and 36. It will be understood that plugs 28 and 38 are also constructed of a weighted metal and preferably made from poured lead that is cast around the wire 32 and 40.

When it is desired to assemble the parts l2, l4 and 16, it is simply necessary to take the part 16 and force the loop 42 through the slot 20 and 30 of plugs 18 and 28 until all of the plugs are in closely abutting relationship, as illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be understood that the relative dimensions of the slots 20 and 30 of loop 42 are such that the latter is frictionally received within the slots so as to make a snug and secure fit therein, thus releaseably maintaining the parts in assembled relation. It will be noted that the plugs 18, 28 and 38 are so configured that when assembled they form a smooth composite body. It will also be noted that when the parts are as sembled, loop 42 extends substantially above the upper surfact of plug 28, as will be seen most clearly in FIG. 3. This exposed portion of loop 42 provides a convenient and accessible means of securing the lure 10 to a line (not shown), it being obvious that the securement at this point may be such as to prevent inadvertent separation of the parts 12, 14 and 16. Expressed differently, by attaching a connecting ring (not shown) to the exposed portion of loop 42, that is so configured as to be incapable of fitting within slot 30, effective means are provided for locking the parts I2, 14 and I6 in the assembled relation. On the other hand, when it is desired to disassemble the parts, it is simply necessary to unhook the lure from its connecting line after which the parts may be forceably pulled apart from convenience of storage or packaging. As will be seen in FIG. 6, when the parts are. disassembled, each part represents a relatively straight element, thus making the disassembled parts conveniently easy to pack and store.

As shown in FIG. I, the eyes of 26, 36 and 44 may receive monofilament 46 and books 48 or, as desired, hooks may be connected directly to the eyes or attractors may be connected to some of the eyes, etc.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. A fish hook or lure support comprising a first part having a center plug consisting of a plurality of arms fixedly connected thereto and extending laterally therefrom, said arms being immovable with respect to said center plug, a second part having a plug consisting of an arm extending vertically therefrom in fixed immovable relation, and means releasably connecting said plugs to each other to form a composite hook or lure support having laterally extending arms and a vertically extending arm said arms being provided with means for supporting hooks or lures therefrom, said parts being easily separable for ease of packing and shipping.

2. In the fish hook or lure support of claim 1, the said arms being comprised or wire and the means for supporting the hooks or lures being integral eyes formed thereon.

3. In the fish support of claim 2, said plugs being of a weighted metal construction, said arms being embedded therein.

4. In the fish supportof claim 3, said vertical arm extending through said second plug and forming a loop on the opposite side of said plug, said first plug having a slot extending therethrough frictionally receiving said loop therein to maintain said plugs releasably assembled.

5. In the fish support of claim 4, said loop extending above said first plug when said plugs are in assembled relation.

6. A fish lure comprising first and second parts each having a center plug and a plurality of arms fixedly connected thereto and extending laterally therefrom, said arms being immovable with respect to their respective center plugs, a third part having a plug having an arm extending vertically therefrom in fixed immovable relation, and means releasably connecting said plugs to each other to form a composite support having laterally extending arms and a vertically extending arm, the laterally extending arms of said first part being substantially staggered with respect to the lateral arms of said second part.

7. In the fish support of claim 6, said arms comprising wires, said wires having integral eyes formed therein for mounting hooks, lures or the like.

8. In the fish support of claim 7, said plugs being of a weighted metal construction, said arms being embedded therein.

9. ln the fish support of claim 8, said vertical ann extending through its associated plug and forming a loop on the opposite side thereof, said first and second plugs having slots extending therethrough frictionally receiving said loop therein to maintain said plugs releaseably assembled.

10. In the fish support of claim 9, said loop extending above said first and second plugs when the lure is in assembled condition. 

1. A fish hook or lure support comprising a first part having a center plug consisting of a plurality of arms fixedly connected thereto and extending laterally therefrom, said arms being immovable with respect to said center plug, a second part having a plug consisting of an arm extending vertically therefrom in fixed immovable relation, and means releasably connecting said plugs to each other to form a composite hook or lure support having laterally extending arms and a vertically extending arm said arms being provided with means for supporting hooks or lures therefrom, said parts being easily separable for ease of packing and shipping.
 2. In the fish hook or lure support of claim 1, the said arms being comprised or wire and the means for supporting the hooks or lures being integral eyes formed thereon.
 3. In the fish support of claim 2, said plugs being of a weighted metal construction, said arms being embedded therein.
 4. In the fish support of claim 3, said vertical arm extending through said second plug and forming a loop on the opposite side of said plug, said first plug having a slot extending therethrough frictionally receiving said loop therein to maintain said plugs releasably assembled.
 5. In the fish support of claim 4, said loop extending above said first plug when said plugs are in assembled relation.
 6. A fish lure comprising first and second parts each having a center plug and a plurality of arms fixedly connected thereto and extending laterally therefrom, said arms being immovable with respect to their respective center plugs, a third part having a plug having an arm extending vertically therefrom in fixed immovable relation, and means releasably connecting said plugs to each other to form a composite support having laterally extending arms and a vertically extending arm, the laterally extending arms of said first part being substantially staggered with respect to the lateral arms of said second part.
 7. In the fish support of claim 6, said arms comprising wires, said wires having integral eyes formed therein for mounting hooks, lures or the like.
 8. In the fish support of claim 7, said plugs being of a weighted metal construction, said arms being embedded therein.
 9. In the fish support of claim 8, said vertical arm extending through its associated plug and forming a loop on the opposite side thereof, said first and second plugs having slots extending therethrough frictionally receiving said loop therein to maintain said plugs releaseably assembled.
 10. In the fish support of claim 9, said loop extending above said first and second plugs when the lure is in assembled condition. 